Williamsburg Area Transport

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A line of WAT transit buses equipped with 2-way radios, wheelchair lifts and bike racks are seen ready for service at the Williamsburg Bus Facility on U.S. Route 60 in James City County, Virginia.
A line of WAT transit buses equipped with 2-way radios, wheelchair lifts and bike racks are seen ready for service at the Williamsburg Bus Facility on U.S. Route 60 in James City County, Virginia.

Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT) is a governmentally-operated agency which provides transit bus and paratransit services in the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County in the the Historic Triangle area of the Virginia Peninsula subregion of Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia.

WAT operates 8 regular routes within the city and 2 counties, using a "hub and spokes" system based at the intermodal Williamsburg Transportation Center. Additionally, a connection to the City of Newport News and the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) public transit bus system is provided on the Grey Line serving U.S. Route 60 east by traveling into the western edge of Newport News and meeting HRT's Route 116 Mall-Hall Loop at Lee Hall, Virginia.

WAT also operates replica (rubber-tired) Trolley service at Riverwalk Landing along the riverfront area at Yorktown, Virginia.

Contents

[edit] History, service area

Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT) is the successor to James City County Transit, which was also governmentally-operated by James City County in the community for many years. In the early 21st century, by changing from being known as James City County Transit to the newer name of "Williamsburg Area Transport", the scope and area of the current services were more accurately described as part of a new organizational structure authorized by the Virginia General Assembly.

WAT services are almost entirely operated within the City of Williamsburg and the two adjacent counties, and serve citizens and visitors to all three localities. Historic sites and extensive tourism form the basis for an unusual operating environment in comparison to similar sized localities elsewhere in Virginia and the United States.

James City County and York County are each one of the eight original shires of Virginia formed in 1634, and are two of the oldest counties in Virginia as well as the present United States. The City of Williamsburg, long-located along the border of the two counties, was originally founded in 1623 as Middle Plantation, initially a fortified community midway across the Virginia Peninsula on high ground. It was selected as the site of the new College of William and Mary, a long-desired effort of the colonists which was established by a Royal Charter issued in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II, joint sovereigns of England, Scotland and Ireland. Several years later, partially due a persuasive presentation to the House of Burgesses by the Reverend Dr. James Blair and a group of his students, the tiny community was selected to replace the harsh weather and other environmental conditions at Jamestown and became the capital of the Colony of Virginia in 1698, renamed the following year in honor of King William. Williamsburg became the first chartered city in Virginia in 1722 during colonial times, and became an independent city under a change in Virginia's state constitution in 1871. The first mental health facility in the United States was established at Williamsburg in 1770, and its successor, Eastern State Hospital, a state-owned facility, continues to operate nearby in modern times.

Beginning in 1926, the extensive restoration of a central part of Williamsburg to the era of the pre-American Revolutionary War era of the late 1780s was initially funded and led by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. Their efforts and generous contributions and thsoe of their descendents and many others resulted in the creation and initial endownment of of Colonial Williamsburg. Rather than simply an effort to preserve the antiquity, the combination of extensive restoration and thoughtful recreation of the entire colonial town facilitates envisioning the atmosphere and embracing the ideals of the 18th century patriots. As a tangible birthplace of democracy, Colonial Williamsburg and the surrounding area developed into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Other major historical points of the WAT service area include Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement, and Yorktown Battlefield and Yorktown Victory Center, all joined by the National Park Service's bucolic Colonial Parkway, a scenic byway which is itself a National Historical Landmark as well.

Additionally, the WAT service area encompasses several prominent museums and other attractions including two major theme parks, hospitality businesses which incude dozens of hotels and restaurants, and several shopping outlet complexes. The area has grown popular for resort complexes and as a choice for relocating retirees from other areas. The area also has large U.S. military complexes at Camp Peary, the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, and is adjacent to the U.S. Army base at Fort Eustis. Rounding out the community are as residential areas, schools, retail and industrial enterprises.

Specific unincorporated communities within the WAT service area generally include:

[edit] Funding

The services of Williamsburg Area Transport are partially-funded through rider fares, a form of user fees. The system is also subsidized by the local governments of the City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County, as well as purchases of services by the College of William and Mary, Colonial Williamsburg, [1] and other community organizations.

WAT also receives state and federal financial and technical assistance from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

[edit] Public route system: hub and spokes

WAT operates what is often called a "hub and spokes" bus routing system. At designated intervals, the transit buses all meet at a coordinated time at a central location (in this instance the Williamsburg Transportation Center), and then serve various outlying areas in many directions on eight color-codes routes.

The "hub and spokes" route system does not include:

[edit] Williamsburg Transportation Center

The regular route buses all meet at the Williamsburg Transportation Center at the start of the hour. Located at a restored Chesapeake and Ohio Railway station owned by Colonial Williamsburg in downtown Williamsburg, the Transportation Center not only serves WAT's regular routes, but also service:

The Commonwealth of Virginia and Department of Motor Vehicles has certified local bus company Oleta Coach Lines, Inc for a bus route from The Williamsburg Transportation Center to shopping malls around The Hampton Roads area. The Williamsburg bus route runs from Williamsburg to Hampton, to Newport News then back to Williamsburg. It runs twice on Tuesdays. This has been certified as a Public Convenience and Necessity bus route.

[edit] WAT route lines

The WAT system serves eight route lines, all of which are color coded:

Williamsburg Area Transport sign.
Williamsburg Area Transport sign.
  • Blue Line: U.S. Route 60 between WAT Transit Center and Norge Crossing Shopping Center, including Lightfoot and Norge areas along US 60.
  • Yellow Line: WAT Transit Center to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA (operates Memorial Day through Labor Day only)
  • Purple Line: WAT Transit Center to Burnt Ordinary Apartments in Toano. Also serves Old Towne Medical Center and James City County Human Services Building.
  • Orange Line: WAT Transit Center to State Route 143 (Merrimack Trail) @ Tam-O-Shanter Blvd (serves Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center), Capitol Landing Road, and James-York Plaza Shopping Center.
  • Tan Line: WAT Transit Center to Miller Mart on U.S. Route 60 (Richmond Road) at Lightfoot and Lowes/Wal Mart shopping center on East Mooretown Road, adjacent to the Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
  • Red Line: WAT Transit Center to Steeplechase Apartments, New Town, Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse complex, Monticello Marketplace shopping center (Target/Ukrop's)

[edit] Surry Park and Ride bus service

To help mitigate rush hour traffic and new delays due to heightened security measures on the Jamestown Ferry, in October 2007, WAT began a Park and Ride transit bus service from 3 stops in Surry County across the James River to limited stops at several major points in James City County and Williamsburg, terminating at the Williamsburg Transportation Center, where connections are available with other WAT routes, HRT, and intercity services.

Surry County stops include Surry Government Center, Surry Community Center, and the VDOT Park and Ride lot near Scotland Wharf.

The bus will make two round trips each morning and two each afternoon during peak commuter periods, Monday through Friday. The daily fare is $3.00, which includes transfers to other WAT routes. [2]

[edit] Route notes

1. Newport News Connection (Grey Line) - In October, 2006, WAT was in the process of updating their website to reflect a recent service change. All Grey Line buses now continue to Lee Hall and connect to Hampton Roads Transit Route 116 (Mall-Hall loop). Riders should refer to the trips coming from Newport News for the correct times.

At that time, WAT and HRT would not accept each others' transfers fare wise.

2. Colonial Williamsburg - All WAT lines serve the Colonial Williamsburg (CW) area. For service to the CW Visitors Center, riders should use WAT's Orange line (or the Yellow line during the peak spring-summer months).

3. Possible Grey Line confusion - It is notable that Colonial Williamsburg, which operates its own fleet of grey and white colored transit buses and minibuses, also has a "Grey Line" route. This is not to be confused with WAT's Grey Line route for US Route 60 East which ends at Lee Hall. The WAT buses on that route are normally painted beige, white and burgundy in color, and clearly marked for WAT with the words "Williamsburg Area Transport"

[edit] Regular route fares

  • Off Peak Fare is $1.25 + 25 cents to transfer (Labor Day through Memorial Day).
  • Peak Period (Memorial Day through Labor Day) an all-day pass is automatically provided for $1.50 (the $1.25 single ride fare is not accepted).

[edit] Fleet

[edit] ADA and accessibility

All buses are ADA accessible. Also, Paratransit service is provided to eligible individuals.

[edit] Operating hours

WAT bus services operates Monday - Saturday, No service on Sundays or some holidays.

6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Off Peak (Labor Day through Memorial Day) 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Peak Summer Months (Memorial Day through Labor Day)

Most route schedules operate hourly, beginning at the Williamsburg Transportation Center, with a few exceptions.

[edit] Emergencies

All WAT buses are equipped with two-way radio communications.

[edit] More information

WAT drivers are trained in hospitality to be helpful are usually able to satisfy inquiries from both residents and visitors to the community. For safety reasons, please ask them for information only when the bus is not in motion, however.

Riders and visitors may also refer to schedules on the buses or available by mail, or call the WAT Office at (757) 259-4093 for more information or to comment on service.

[edit] Pending expansion of routes and operating schedules

Beginning in June, 2008, WAT buses will run on extended schedules: two hours later into evenings and on Sundays, as well as every half-hour instead of every hour. The expanded services are anticipated to help address skyrocketing gas prices in the area, as well as provide better service hours for hospitality-based businesses and their guest and employees. WAT Executive Director Mark Rickards was quoted in the the Newport News Daily Press "Folks are looking at public transportation more than ever, and we're going to try to help them out," he said. [3]

Additionally, in May 2009, Williamsburg Area Transport announced that it had recently received a grant for three trolley-replica type buses that will serve the local shopping areas of New Town, High Street and Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg. According to WAT officials, they could start running as early as spring of 2009. [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/williamsburg/dp-local_wbgtransport_0523may23,0,3427824.story
  2. ^ Orange Line - Williamsburg Area Transport
  3. ^ http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/williamsburg/dp-local_wbgtransport_0523may23,0,3427824.story
  4. ^ http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/williamsburg/dp-local_wbgtransport_0523may23,0,3427824.story

[edit] External links